I've already written about two US ships, the Sachem and Clifton, which were captured by Confederate forces at the Second Battle of Sabine Pass and became blockade-runners.
The next, the USS Granite City, was a blockade-runner, was captured by the Union, became a gunboat, was recaptured by the Confederates and became a blockade-runner again, before running ashore and being destroyed. Quite a history.
USS GRANITE CITY
160 feet long, 7 guns.
Originally the blockade-runner Granite City and was captured in the Bahama Islands by the USS Tioga March 22, 1863. The US Navy purchased it April 16, 1863, and it was attached to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. What better way to catch blockade-runners than by using a blockade-runner?
Because of its shallow draft, it escaped the debacle at Sabine Pass, but in April 28, 1864, was recaptured by Confederate troops after an hour battle at Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, while receiving refugees.
It was fitted out again as a blockade-runner, and on January 20, 1865, while attempting to run the blockade at Velasco, Texas, was chased ashore by the USS Penguin and broke up on the beach.
What would I do without Wikipedia?
So There You Go. Once a Blockade-Runner, ALWAYS a Blockade-Runner. --Old B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
